Apparatus for transferring particles
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for transferring particles, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an upper zone;
(b) a middle zone operable for pressurization and depressurization;
(c) a lower zone;
(d) a body located within the lower zone, the body being impervious to the particles and comprising a planar surface;
(e) an upper valveless conduit extending downward from the upper zone to the middle zone, the upper valveless conduit of a length operable to transfer particles from the upper zone to the middle zone;
(f) a lower valveless conduit extending downward from the middle zone to the lower zone, the lower valveless conduit comprising an outlet, the outlet being located above and vertically aligned with the planar surface of the body, the lower valveless conduit of a length operable to transfer particles from the middle zone to the lower zone;
(g) a gas inlet conduit providing fluid communication to the lower zone;
(h) a first gas conduit in fluid communication with the middle zone; and
(i) at least one of a controller, a particle level sensor, a pressure gauge, a pressure indicator, a differential pressure sensor, and a timer operable to control the transfer of particles;
wherein the apparatus is operable for transferring particles with a gas, from the upper zone, operable at a first pressure, to the lower zone, operable at a second pressure, when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transferring particles, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) an upper zone; (b) a middle zone operable for pressurization and depressurization; (c) a lower zone; (d) a body located within the lower zone, the body being impervious to the particles and comprising a planar surface; (e) an upper valveless conduit extending downward from the upper zone to the middle zone, the upper valveless conduit of a length operable to transfer particles from the upper zone to the middle zone; (f) a lower valveless conduit extending downward from the middle zone to the lower zone, the lower valveless conduit comprising an outlet, the outlet being located above and vertically aligned with the planar surface of the body, the lower valveless conduit of a length operable to transfer particles from the middle zone to the lower zone; (g) a gas inlet conduit providing fluid communication to the lower zone; (h) a first gas conduit in fluid communication with the middle zone; and (i) at least one of a controller, a particle level sensor, a pressure gauge, a pressure indicator, a differential pressure sensor, and a timer operable to control the transfer of particles; wherein the apparatus is operable for transferring particles with a gas, from the upper zone, operable at a first pressure, to the lower zone, operable at a second pressure, when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for transferring particles, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) an upper zone; (b) a middle zone operable for pressurization and depressurization; (c) a lower zone; (d) a body located within the lower zone, the body comprising a planar surface, the body having no internal particle retention volume; (e) an upper valveless conduit extending downward from the upper zone to the middle zone, the upper valveless conduit of a length operable to transfer particles from the upper zone to the middle zone; (f) a lower valveless conduit extending downward from the middle zone to the lower zone, the lower valveless conduit comprising an outlet, the outlet being located vertically above and horizontally within the planar surface of the body, the lower valveless conduit of a length operable to transfer particles from the middle zone to the lower zone; (g) a gas inlet conduit providing fluid communication to the lower zone; (h) a first gas conduit in fluid communication with the middle zone; and (i) at least one of a controller, a particle level sensor, a pressure gauge, a pressure indicator, a differential pressure sensor, and a timer operable to control the transfer of particles; wherein the apparatus is operable for transferring particles with a gas, from the upper zone, operable at a first pressure, to the lower zone, operable at a second pressure, when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification